Bike Show Thanks

I want to thank everyone who either attended or entered a motorcycle in our Bike Show held in conjunction with the Gypsy Rendezvous this past weekend. Like everything else we do, it is you and your support that makes what we do successful. It is very gratifying to me and everyone connected with the magazine to see the support you give us in all that we do. I also thank the Surdyke family of dealerships for partnering with us on the show and sponsoring the trophies, they were truly impressive and it is this attention to detail that makes them a success.

For those of you who didn't make the show you missed a truly awesome collection of bikes. I know all the judges had a tough time making their decisions. That is something that is often said but this time was very appropriate.

Sad Note / Last Ride

Hi All
In case you have not heard, Sandra Sneed - otherwise known by her Local 42 family as Grandma Sam - passed away Monday morning. There is a memorial service scheduled for Saturday, April 28th at River Rat Resort with a ride following to Hermann to scatter her ashes. Afterwards, everyone is more than welcome to join us at Roadhouse 100 for a potluck dinner. Anyone able to bring something for the dinner, feel free to drop it before hand at Roadhouse (they open at 10:30am on Sat.). If it is a cold dish, please bring a cooler with ice to keep it in, as there is not enough refrigerator space.Those wishing to attend the memorial services, the times are below:
- 2:00pm Meet in front of Stout's at the Mason/Dixon Flea Market at Hwy. 44 and Hwy. 50
- 2:30pm Depart for River Rat Resort in St. Clair
- 3:00pm Memorial Service at River Rat Resort-
After service, ride to Hermann to scatter Grandma Sam's ashes along the Hermann Bridge
-Go to Roadhouse 100 for Potluck Dinner

If there are any questions, feel free to contact Rick Gish at 314-578-6006

Is it Just Me

This has very little to do with motorcycles, Harley Davidsons, Honda or any other type. Now I didn't watch it but yesterday was the first debate of the 2008 presidential election cycle. I think that is just way too early especially with the crap the parties give us for candidates. If I was going to trot out such a crappy line up of potential candidates, I would wait till as late as possible to name them so that they would have as little time as possible to prove how poor they are.

On aonther note if you want to see a true motorcycle museum this weekend, I suggest you visit the Dave Mungenast Classic Motorcycle Museum 5625 Gravois Rd. St. Louis, MO, they are also open on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Saturday and people that know and love motorcycles staff and run the place. This place is a celebration of the motorcycles put together for bikes by bikers.

Helmet Laws

I have to come to the conclusion that there is not enough peole that truly have an interest in getting the helemt laws changed. That most of the people out there walking around don't care when the government whittles away on their freedoms, especially if they can tell them this is for the National Security or for their own good. There was a movie a long time ago featuring Rowdy Roddy Piper, famed actor, called They Live. Now in this movie the world had been taken over by Aliens now I would not suggest the world has been taken over by Aliens, however the aliens had set up tv, billboards and all kinds of things to send out subliminal messages for humans to be docile and to go along with what the government put out. This I would suggest has been happening for years and unless enough of you care it will continue to happen.

I have changed my view on gun laws for exactly this reason, yes I was anti-gun but then I started looking at the issues from alrger perspective. Then I saw how wrong I was, it has been said many times enforcing the current laws is a better solution than enacting new ones but then what would the politicians do when they are at work. I also realized that my position was allowing our freedoms to be whittled away on and so I changed my position.

How many of you get the emails about various states motorcycle issues and take action? I don't always but more often than not I do. Does it make a difference? I'm not sure but at least I have made my voice heard and making your voice heard is important. Edmond Burke said long ago that, "the only thing The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
That is what has been going on but we can change that. We cann make our leaders accountable to us but we better start soon. I know a lot of you out there are good men and women so take a little time out of your busy lives and make your voice heard.

This week and Weekend

Hey we all know what tomorrow is. Wednesday and that means only one thing time for the B.A.R. Ride, we will once again leave Shady Jack's somewhere near 7 PM. Then it gets crazy there is so much going on this weekend. Thursday there is bike night at Bikers Corner this is a fun time and of course you read about it in The Biking Life, there is also a bike night at Chuck-A-Burger off 370 in St Charles, where you will usually see the awesome creations of Cutting Edge Cycles, Friday brings the kick off of the Gypsy Rendezvous Weekend, one thing that needs to be brought out is, this is a charity event with some of the proceeds benefitting the James McDonnell USO, there are other big events going on but this is the one donating money to charity. the Friday night events center around Dale's Harley Davidson in Mt Vernon, IL, Surdyke's Harley Davidson in Festus, MO and Gateway to the West Harley Davidson in St Louis. Friday is test and tune day at Gateway International Raceway as the AHDRA gets ready for a weekend of fast paced action.

Saturday is qualifying day and you will find me and other members of our staff at the track, so we can bring all the action to you, although you can't beat being there, and seeing it live. BET is also holding its season openere and TEAM The Biking Life will be there racing. The Knight of the Word are having a bike show at Chariots of Fire in Moscow Mills, MO this should be a good time say hi to Jan, Reine, Griz, Tim, Justin and Sparky. Also on Saturday is the Kyle Price Memorial Run from Woodlawn, IL. There is a Dice Run that starts at Dude's Saloon in Springield, IL the Night Crawlers MC is having a dance at 4 Aces in East St Louis and the Mad Hatters MC is hosting an allfemale run leaving out of the Hatters Hole. There is also the Choppers 4 Children Bike Show in Joplin, MO too.

Sunday is the finals of the AHDRA and ta da The Biking Life Magazine Bike Show registration starts at 11 for that. The Bush Pilots are having a Poker Run starting at Ted's Motorcycle World, Alton, IL and last but not least there is the Blessing of the Bikes at Bald Knob near Alto Pass, IL. No matter what you choose to do this weekend I hope you have fun and come home safe.

A Couple of Days Off to Ride

This is one of my favorite parts of the month. The last issue has been put to bed and I get what are like my two days a month off. I can ride or do whatever I want. The Bike Blessing at Falling Springs put on by FORR Local 24 was nice. The members of the Tribe of Judah always have something spiritually thought provoking to say. I also attended the Road Riders for Jesus Bike Blessing in Litchfield, IL this past weekend and was impressed this is a second year event and it is growing. The fine folks at Niehaus Cycle Sales do all the can to support the Blessing too.

Although when May gets here that means I lose these few days as well. We are aprtnering with several different locations for Bike Nights so that means that of course as you al well know. You will see members of The Biking Life staff there. Well as long as I can keep my drivers license with some points left on it. Tomorrow is Wednesday and time again to saddle up and head to Shady Jack's for the BAR Ride, reme,ber kickstands up somewhere near 7.

I went back and looked at some of the poasts and saw there are actuallt comments that is cool. I know Steve from Daimond Trailer Sales in Litchfield reads it regularly and I thank him, I know Dave and becky from the RRFJ read it and have tried to poast and I also say hi and thank you to the Scooter Chick.

The May Issue Is Completed

Earlier today I put the finishing touches on the May issue. I think you are going to like it, one of the main stories is about the upcoming 100 Miles For Arthritis Run. We also featured a very nice motorcycle owned by Justin and built by Jan Nobbe at Chariots of Fire Customs, then there is another bike you just need to see. The first bike show of the year at TJ's and sevral other local stories are featured as well because we are your local motorcycle magazine.

Watch for Pigs on Bridges

Watch for radar traps around bridges and overpasses I don't know why but particualrly on I 55 these guys are trying to make a living on writing speeding tickets. I guess tax revenues must have been down so sharply that they must make up for it. It used to be you were given some lenience around holidays but now it seems like there is even more trapsa round the holidays just so you can be in the right mood to celebrate the season. Then I can be driving down the street and somebody pass me driving like a maniac that seems like a far more dangerous thing than somebody exceeding the speed limit on an interstate but apparently they don't like going after dangerous drivers just ones that drive fast on roads meant for folks to dive fast on and as long as you are going to tax us by tickets on the interstates why don't you fix the rutted s.o.b.s cause 55 is badly rutted. You want to do something for safety which is probably the claim for going after speeders why don't they fix the roads instead. You want to know why? then follow the money.

Our Busy Weekend

It is that time of year again, oh yeah bay riding season is here. We try to at least show up at as many events as possible so you know we are working hard to give you the best and the most when it comes to regional events. This weekend is no different, I haven't told Joy yet but tomorrow is particularly busy. David Camden one of our crack photojournalists will be covering the ABATE and Huck's Motorcycle Show in Jacksonville, IL. If you are in the area and want to have fun then check this event out. Also David is one of the judges. so walk up and tell him I said he better do a good job. Meanwhile Joy and I will visit Ted's Motorcycle World in Alton for their Spring Customer Appreciation Day, we will split our time between there and the Road Riders for Jesus Bike Blessing at Niehaus MotorCycle Sales in Litchfield, IL. We attended this event last year, in fact I think this might have been where we met the minister who married us. And then no doubt back to Ted's for the conclusion of their activites. Then tomorrow night we will visit the Boozefighters party at Crehan's Irish Pub on North Belt West in Belleville. The Boozefighters are one of the oldest clubs still in existence and they know how to party.

If we survive that then we will be at the Bike Blessing at Falling Springs on Sunday. I guarantee we will survive it to. Hell I'm ex-Army I can put up with a lot of shit, especially when I know it isn't going to last forever. Hmm I think there is a topic for another day there somewhere.

Wednesday Night Ride

Though it was a little chilly we had 17 bikes show up and ride this evening which was very cool. We started at Shady Jack's because that is where we always start and then rode to Frank's First Alarm a nice place on South Virgina, you really need to check it out and say hi to Brandy or Frank from there it was off to the Broadway Bistro, the opposite direction this place is on North broadway we were too late for their Wednesday Night Lingerie show but still had a fun time visiting with Jessie and all her wonderful staff.

Those of you there this evening know it was fun and those of you who weren't why not? Hopefully we'll see even more riders next week.

Today I Ride

The weather is gorgeous and I have errands to do before I sit down to compose the May issue of the magazine over the next few days so today I ride. It seems like it has been so long since I've had the wind in my face and it has been something I've longer for. I hope all of you find some time today to get out and share the passion we all have for motorcycling.

It is almost Wednesay and time for the ride again

Hi folks, well it is almost Wednesday again and it looks like the weather is going to be decent for the first time. So I am planning on acutally doing the B.A.R. Ride instead of being a P.A.R. Don't forget we start on Wednesday Night at Shady Jack's on N Broadway and from there we head for another fine establishment in the bi-state region. The ride usually starts right around 7 but come early and try out some of Jack's tasty menu items. I look forward to seeing you there.

Ride 4 Arthritis

Morning, we have just spent a very busy weekend which took us to Southern Illinois on Saturday, to the Swap Meet on Sunday and then into St Charles last night for something hopefully many of you will find enjoyable reading in the next couple of months. I know I posted this event before on th blog but thought I would once again extend an invitation to all of you to either take part on this ride, as a member of one of the teams or to make a donation on your own to the Arthritis Foundation, and those of you who work some companies may be able to double your contribution if your company has a matching program. Arthritis does not just affect the more mature in our population it also affects children and people no matter where they are in the life cycle. It is because of this that alomst all of us no someone who has arthritis and see the pain and suffering it causes in their lives. So I ask you once again to help others and get an opportunity to ride your motorcycle and have fun.

Howdy folks I have a favor to ask of you. I am once again involved with the Ride 4 Arthritis and this year's event promises to be the best ever. I have also been chosen to captain a team. My request is that as many of you as can please sign up for my team to do this you need to visit:http://ride4arthritis.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=218206Then on the left hand side of the page is a team ranking and if you click on the The Biking Life team you can join it. I would like to see a lot of The Biking Life supporters out there. If you sign up online and pre-register for the event. I will sell you a t-shirt for 7.50 or half of the usual price. I think it would be very cool to see a bunch of us wearing magazine t-shirts taking part in this ride. Just send me an email after you sign up if you want the t-shirt.

Ride 4 Arthritis

Hi I am about to take off for Southern Illinois and don't have a lot to say. I just got back from visiting with friends at the Lake of the Ozark and I think we are going to see some really exciting developments from that area. For one Custom Motorcycle creations is undergoing a face-lift which will make it even more of a destination. I think we are going to be establioshing relationships with some other fun destinations in that region as well. So keep reading to find out everything that is going on. I am re-running the below post because I want to have the top team and I believe in the Arthritis Foundation, This is something that affects someone close to all of us. I used to think it was just a condition that afflicted the old but have learned in the last couple of years that it affects people of all ages and kids more than most of us could guess. So even if you can't make the ride please donate and I don't really care if you sign up as a member of The Biking Life team just that you sign up or make a donation.


Howdy folks I have a favor to ask of you. I am once again involved with the Ride 4 Arthritis and this year's event promises to be the best ever. I have also been chosen to captain a team. My request is that as many of you as can please sign up for my team to do this you need to visit:http://ride4arthritis.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=218206Then on the left hand side of the page is a team ranking and if you click on the The Biking Life team you can join it. I would like to see a lot of The Biking Life supporters out there. If you sign up online and pre-register for the event. I will sell you a t-shirt for 7.50 or half of the usual price. I think it would be very cool to see a bunch of us wearing magazine t-shirts taking part in this ride. Just send me an email after you sign up if you want the t-shirt.

Another Day

Well it is another chilly day today but spirits are warm. Here in a little while I will be heading off to see my friends at the Lake of the Ozarks. Things have been hectic lately so I aplologize for not getting more into the blog. This weekend will find us very busy tomorrow night Joy and I will head off to Southern Illinois to take part in a poker run that leaves Steve's Customs on Hwy 37 outside Johnston City, on Saturday. We will hang out there for a while before loading up and heading back to the city so we can be at the Thunder Alley Swap Meet on Sunday. There are some other things going on as well this weekend. The Moonshine Lunch Run is on Saturday this is very cool and if you get to the General store in Moonshine, IL, which is close to Effingham, by one you get one of the best burgers around. Sunday there are two poker rides that I like the Paderborn rat Pack is having their Annual ride. It will leave from Karban's Knotty Pine in Paderborn, IL this is a big run and usually tons of fun. FORR Local 42 is also holding a Poker Run for the hartbauer/McBride Foundation. Then there is also the USO Benefit Run from Jack's Iron Horse and many other events as well make sure to have fun this weekend and hopefully the eather gods will relent on us a little and we'll have some decent rays for a change. Once again weather hindered the BAR Ride but I am betting right now that next Wednesday will be nice and the Ride will take off.

Second Wednesday Night Ride

I forgot to mention it earlier but the second Wednesday Night Ride also known as the Bad Ass Riders Ride or the B.A.R. Ride as it is affectionately known is tomorrow night we will be kickstands up from Shady Jack's right around 7 PM. Last week we had a great time at S & J Main Street in Columbia, IL and there is no telling, and I mean that no telling!!!, where we will go this week. But remember this is a fun ride, no membership, no phone calls to make, no emails, just show up and ride. Isn't that how it should be?

Tuesday April 10th

How you all doing today? I'm gonna go Andy Rooney here, but did you ever wonder why when you are on the phone trying to do business with someone and they have a message that keeps telling you how important your call is to them, then why don't they hire more American people( no offense but someone who speaks and understands English as we speak it here and you are not constantly saying "What?" to) to answer my call and show that it is important rather than telling me it is. My momma told me a long time ago that actions speak louder than words, I guess those folks don't believe so though, probably too busy counting their bonusus they got for laying off the people who answered the phone back in the day when you could get through to a humn being and who truly made a contribution to society.

Happy Easter

I wish to offer all who view this page today the Happiest of Easters. I hope that whatever you choose to do today that you and all you encounter are blessed. I personally am getting ready to mow the grass and then will be heading to the Ruff Ryders Motorcycle Show for a while with Rod. We will be filming for this years DVD and hope it is a good show.

The day looks better than most we've had this week so it might not be a bad day to bust the motorcycle out of the garage and get some wind in the face. Whatever you do today have fun, be safe and be ecellent to each other.

Stuff This Weekend

Today is Chopper and Chile Day at Shady Jack's on north Broadway in St Louis, Kelly 'Rev' Roades will be tending to your spiritual needs and Danny Liston and Mama's Pride will be laying down the tunes. Later this evening the Outlanders Motorcycle Riding Club will be hosting their Annual dance at at the Round House in Wood River, IL.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and we encourage all of you to spend it with family but if you want to do something motorcycle related the Ruff Ryders are holding a Spring Explosion Car and Bike Show at the Omega Center 3900 Goodfellow St Louis. This event will be hosted by Buffy the Body. Have a great weekend and we'll post more later.

Motorcycles, Tattoos, Honda

Harley, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Custom Choppers, Springer, Hardtail, Softail, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Triumph.

What you may ask is all that about? Well I'm trying to get google to recognize this blog as being motorcycle related. Thanks for reading. Oh and you may see this from time to time till I get better stuff linked to this page.

Orange County Choppers, West Coast Choppers, Choppers Inc, Arlen Ness, Victory

Motorcycles, Tattoos, Honda

Harley, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Custom Choppers, Springer, Hardtail, Softail, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Triumph.

What you may ask is all that about? Well I'm trying to get google to recognize this blog as being motorcycle related. Thanks for reading. Oh and you may see this from time to time till I get better stuff linked to this page.

Ride 4 Arthritis

Howdy folks I have a favor to ask of you. I am once again involved with the Ride 4 Arthritis and this year's event promises to be the best ever. I have also been chosen to captain a team. My request is that as many of you as can please sign up for my team to do this you need to visit:

http://ride4arthritis.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=218206

Then on the left hand side of the page is a team ranking and if you click on the The Biking Life team you can join it. I would like to see a lot of The Biking Life supporters out there. If you sign up online and pre-register for the event. I will sell you a t-shirt for 7.50 or half of the usual price. I think it would be very cool to see a bunch of us wearing magazine t-shirts taking part in this ride. Just send me an email after you sign up if you want the t-shirt.

The First Ride

I went on the first Wednesday Night ride from Shady Jack's last night. Six intrepid souls rode, while Joy and I took the easy way out and drove. Yes, last night I was not a B.A.R but instead a P.A.R or Pussy Ass Rider. We went to S & J Main Street in Columbia, MO and had a great time visiting with Sis the owner there. She had a great wing special going on and the food there is all good. So check her place out you'll be glad you did. I have checked the weather forecasts for next week and they are looking much better.

New Ride In Town

Well I have just come back from a meeting which has me pretty pumped up. Two originals Shady Jack's and The Biking Life, no franchises in this crowd, are teaming up to bring you the Bad Ass Riders Ride also known as the B.A.R. Ride. This ride will take place every Wednesday Night, starting with this Wednesday April the 4th. No need to call a hotline, it will always start at Shady Jack's on North Broadway and then go to various establishments throughout the area. We also have some other big plans in the works abd we will let you know more about these when they get closer. Come on out and make riding fun again.

Bad Things Come in Threes

I guess my run in yesterday with the long arm of the law kind of proves the sayng that bad things come in threes. No one can argue that getting a ticket for riding a motorcycle is a bad thing, well maybe someone with a deep philisophical bent might say that one's getting stopped prevented you from being somewhere where something worse could have happened. Did that make sense? But other than someone like that no one could. I was the third, two other members of my staff Trick Lowth and OldSkoolBob from the magazine had recently gotten tickets, that is because we ride motorcycles so they needed a third to complete the cycle and now it is done. It is another beautiful day in the neighborhood and time for me to go out and deliver the gospel of The Biking Life to our readers. That is right more deliveries need to be done. I hope you had a great weekend and look forward to seeing you down the road. I was just told about a great sounding poker run on April 14th 'Biker for Kids' it will leave from Steve's Customs on Rte 37 in Johnston City, IL and be a great ride through the southern Illinois area. I ask you to make plans now to join us there. That is right Joy and I have it penciled in on our calendar for that weekend.

They Got Me

Well it finally happened. Today I was on my way to TJ's for the bike show and hammering down the highway. Have I told you I have speedometer problems, the speedo drive hasn't worked for long in a while. Well here I am pedal to the metal and all of a sudden I see this law officer pulling out. So I pull over and they got me. This was on I-55 and the issuing officer was from Arnold, MO. If any of you have any pull in that area it would be appreciated. Afterall I am a big supporter of the Bike and Badge Ride to benefit the Backstoppers.

What a Difference a Day Makes Weatherwise

People, it is truly an awesome day. This is one of those days that makes living in the Midwest tolerable. Because it can get down right frigid in the winter here, although not for very long and we all know what some of those humid summer days can be like. You know when even the breeze in your face feels like it is straight from a blast furnace. I am getting ready to head out to TJ's in Pevely, MO for their bike show and Killer has assured me he is bringing his video camera so chances are good this will be on the 2007 DVD. If you live a little further north then perhaps you'd prefer checking out the Bootleggers Poker Run. The sign up for that is the Cellar Room on Broadway in Alton but you need to get there by 1. Whatever you do enjoy this great day and don't forget Wrestlemania is tonight.